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WBB: Wooden Award Midseason Top 20 Candidates

A pair of Big Ten centers appeared on John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 20 Candidates list, released on Wednesday. The list is compiled based on individual excellence and team record during the first half of the season.

Michigan State's Allyssa DeHaan and Ohio State's Jantel Lavender each appeared on the midseason list. DeHaan is averaging 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per contest this season for the 11-5 Spartans. Lavender leads the Big Ten in scoring at 22.0 points a contest and is second in the conference with 10.2 rebounds a game for the 17-1 Buckeyes.

The John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball and is presented to the nation's best player who also excels in the classroom. Players that don't appear on the award's midseason list are still eligible for the national ballot, which will be selected in March. The winner will be announced on April 9.